Ironing machine



Feb. 12, 1929.

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, 1,701,720 J. T. HUME IRONING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16. 1920 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb 12 1929.

8 Sheets-Sheen 4 J. T. HUME IRONING MACHINEv Filed Deo. 16, 1920 NQ, Nm QM Feb. i2, 1929.

J. T. HUME IRONING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16. 1920 Feb. 12, 1929. 1,701,720

J. T. HUME :Reuma MAGHIVNE Filed Dec. '16. 1920 8 sheets-Sheet 'e yJ. T. HUME IRONING MACHINE Feb. 12, 1929. 1,701,720

Filed Dec. 16, 1920 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Feb. 12, i929.

J. T. HUME IRONING MACHINE med na. 16. s sheets-sheet e Patented Feb. 12, 1929. I

j vUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN' T. HUME, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR .lO` H'UBLEF IIACHINE COHPANY,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

momma MACHINE.

Application iled December 16, 1920. Seria! No. 431,144.

My invention relates to ironing machines, more particularly but not necessarily those intended for household use, and the object' thereof is to produce a simple and efficient machine of this character containing im provements in the matter of manufacture and in mode of operation as well as in facil ity and convenience of operation and control by the operator. Another object ofmy invention is to provide a structure in,.which the ironing machine proper may be properly positioned or aligned regardless of any unevenness in the floor or support.,

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation of one end of the machine; Fig. 2 a section on the line 2,-2 of Fig. 3; Fig. 3 a side elevation of the machine; Fig. 4 an elevation of one end of the machine showing two cover plates removed to expose the mechanism within; Fig. 5 a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 9; Fig. 6 a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3 but on a larger scale; Figs. 7 and 8 detail views illustrating a modified` form 0f 'end frames or brackets; Fig. 9 a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 4 but on a larger scale, with cover plates restored; Fig. 10 a plan view of one of the operating handles; Fig. 11 a section on the line 11-11 ofFig. 9;v Fig. 12 a section on the line 12-12 of Fig. A5; Fig. 13 a section on the line 13*13 of Fig. 5; Figs. 14 and 15 sections on-the same line in Fig. 13 but Ylooking in opposite directions as indicatedby the arrows correspondingin number to said figures; Fig. 16 a section on the line 16-16 of Fig. 1; Fig.

handles; Fig. 18 a bottom plan view thereof and Fig. 19 a section on the line 19-19 of Fig. 17.

4.0 Referring to the present embodiment of my machine as herein shown thesame comprises" 17 a top plan view of one of the control.-

to such machine proper with the result that the end frame or bracket 3 rests solidlyupon `its supporting leg 1 and is secured thereto in suitable manner as by means of the bolts 6 passing .through flange 1a on said leg. The bracket at the other end of the machine, as shown `in Fig.- 1, is notso supported but is supported in such a way as to have a rocking movement on the top of its leg 1. As shown in Fig. 1 this is accomplishedV by providing the leg at this end of the machine with an upwardly extending iange 1b having a pivotal connection with its bracket by means of a bolt 7. Also there is provided a clearance space between the bottom of the bracket and the top of the leg, so than any unevenness or distortion in the supporting frame is not communicated to the machine itself. These4 brackets are connectedtogether by means of the gtie rods .8 held thereto by set screw 8 and also by the shafts hereinafter described.

The shoe 5's'of the proper shape to co' operate with the' roll and is rovided with a hollow portion or heating c amber heated by the gas burners 9 for heating the shoe proper. This shoe is provided at its opposite ends with operating mechanism which is similar in construction and operation, and

hence the description of one mechanism will apply to both. The shoe is provided at each end with a depending arm 10fwhich is operatively connected with its actuating mechanism. Referring more particularly to (,Figs. 2, 3 and-6, a rock shaft 11 is suitably mounted in the brackets 3 and provided with a yoke secured thereto and including two .parallel-arms 12, there being of course one yoke foreach such mechanism as shown l in Fig. 3. This yoke is connected through these arms 12 with. the shoe through the medium of a yielding collapsible connection which' comprises a hnk 13, two telescoping heads 14 and 15, Fig. 2, and aninterposed spring 16. The link 13 is pivoted at its inner end to the bolt or pin 17, and'has at its outer end a slot 18 to receive the transverse pin -19 which also passesthrough the head 14. The link is also pivotally connected with the lower end of the shoe extension l0 by means of links 20 pivoted at their upper ends upon the pins 19 and each having a slot 21 to receive the pin or stud 22 projecting laterally from the lower end of such extension or arm 10.

As a result of this connection between the rock shaft 11 and the shoe, such shoe is permitted to have several desired movements or adjustments. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 6 the construction is such that the spring 16 imparts acertain predetermined pressure to the shoe and consequently to the-roll. When the rock lshaft is oscillated slightly the shoe will be moved slightly away from the roll on the pivot 22 as a center. On further oscillation of the shaft 11 the entire shoe, in-

'cluding its extension 10, is moved bodily to the left to thev position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. On the first movement of the rock shaft the spring pressure on the shoe is relieved because of the movement of the pin 19 in the slot 18. At this time the movement of the link 20 has no effect upon the shoe by reason of the provision of the slot 21. On further oscillation of the rock shaft the pin 19 will engage the outer end of the slot 18 and move the shoe to its initial position at which time it rocks on the pin 22 as a center. At this time the pin 22 is located in the bottom of the slot 21 and upon further oscillation of the rock shaft the links 13 and 20 will be caused to withdraw the shoe bodily from the roll. During these movements the pin 22, carried by the arm 10, travels in a slot 22EL formed in the end bracket 3, as illustrated particularly in Figs. l and 6. lVhen the shoe 5 engages the padded roll 4 the pin 22 rests at the lower end of the slot 22, as illustrated in Fig..6.

The machine is power driven, in' the present instance by the electric motor 23 operatively connected with the roll and also with the rock shaft 11 by mechanism which is under the convenient operation and con trol of the operator as hereinafter described in detail. This motor is preferably secured to the' underside of the feed table 24 which is supported on the upper ends of the bracket 3.

Describing the connecting mechanism between the motor and the roll, the motor is i adapted to drive a main driving shaft 25 which may be the extended armature shaft as shown or a separate shaft coupled thereto. Referring to Fig. 4 this shaft, which passes through the bearing 26, has at its inner end a worm 27 meshing with a worm gear 28 secured to a shaft 29. On this shaft and adjacent gear 28 is a pinion 3() which meshes with and drives the gear 31 secured to a shaft 32. On this shaft 32 there is also secured two gears 33 and 34, the

former being the larger. These gears 33 and 34 are in constant mesh respectively with two gears 35 and 36 which are loosely mounted upon a shaft 37 and of which the gear 36 is the larger.

Upon the shaft 37 there is mounted to slide longitudinally a clutch sleeve 38 adapted to be shifted in one direction or the other by the operator and thereby placed in operative engagement with either the gear 35 or gear 36. This sleeve is splined to the shaft 37 and the position shown in` Fig. 9 is its neutral position. It is provided with a plurality of clutch jaws on opopsite sides, the jaws 39 being adapted to cooperate with the complementary jaws 4() on the gear 35 and the jaws 41 on the other side of the sleeve cooperating with the complementary jaws 42 on the gear 36. "When the sleeve is shifted by the operator into engagement with one or the other of the two gea-rs 35, 36 such gear will be operatively connected to the shaft 37 and will be driven thereby. This shaft is provided at its inner end with a pinion 43 which meshes with the main driven gear 44 secured to one end of the shaft 45a of the roll.

The gears and shafts hereinbefore described with the exception of the gears 43 and 44 are mounted within and enclosed by an outer basing 46 suitably secured to the main casing 47 and having an outer removable cap or cover 48. In the present instance the main casing is formed as part of one of the end brackets 3.

Describing the means for shifting the sleeve 38, a vertical rod 49 is mounted tooscillate in a bushing 50 which is held within a top opening in the casing 46 by a set screw 51. This rod is provided at its lower end with a block or disk 52 provided on its lower side withan eccentric pin 53 which .is at al1 times .positioned in the circumferential groove 54 of the sleeve 38. The cap 55 fits over the top of the rod 49 and is secured thereto by the screw 56. This cap is provided with a suitable handle 57 and a pointer 58 .which is adapted to point to the slow 0H and fast positions indicated on the stationary plate 59 secured to or forming a part of the bushing 50. The parts described are held with a yielding pressure by means of a coil spring 60 interposed between the lower ends of the bushing 50 and the block 52. Obviously when Athe operating handle is in the off position as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the sleeve 38 is inneutral position and consequently even if the gears 35 and 36 are rotating the power is not transmitted to the shaft 37. However, when the handle is turned to slow position the sleeve 38 is shifted to the right, bringing the clutch jaws 41 and, 42 into engagement and making the driving connection through the gears 34"'-and 36 for the de- 31 meshes with a pinion 61 sec-ured to a shaft 62 mounted in the lower end of the casing 46. This shaft is provided at its'inner end with a bevel gear 63 meshing constantly with similar bevel gears 64 and 65 which are loosely mounted upon a shaft 66. This latter shaft extends at right anglesto the shaft 62 and is suitably journaled in a casing 67, these forming an extension of the main casing 47, Figs.

4 and 5. The -shaft 66 is provided towards its outer end with a worm 68 which meshes with a segmental worm gear 69 secured to one end of the rock shaft 11. In the present instance this gear 69 is mounted within a casing 7() which forms a part of one of the end brackets and the casing 67. The shaft 66 is provided with a thrust ball bearing 71.

Control mechanism is lprovided in this operating connection for the shaft 11, the same being under the controlof the operator whereby when'the handle is turned to any one of certain different positions the shoe is moved by the power of the motor to its different described positions. As shown in Figs. 5 and 13 a shifting sleeve 72 is splined to the shaft 66 and 'is provided on one side with clutch jaws 73 cooperating with complementary clutch jaws 74 on the gear 64 and with clutch jaws 75 .cooperating with clutch jawsy 76 on the other 'gear 6.5.v This sleeve is shown in its neutral po.-4

sition in Fig.,5 and consequently the power of the motor is not' transmitted from shaft 62 to shaft 66 inasmuch as the gears 64 and 65 will now rotate idly onthef latter shaft. The sleeve is shifted by means of a long lever 77 pivoted at its upper end at 78 and having intermediate its length a laterally eX- tending pin or roller 79 which is at all times positioned in the circumferential groove 80 .of such sleeve. For swinging this lever in one direction or the other so as to operatively connect one side or the other of the jaws the following mechanism is providedr.

lA vertical tube 81 has its bearings in the casing 47 and is provided near its lower end with a gear having a single tooth 82 adapted to mesh with the two teeth of a horaontally positioned sliding rack 83 mounted in the lower end of the casing 47 preferably in an oscillating block 84 to accommodate the slight angular movements of this rack. The

other end of the rack opposite its teeth is" pivotally connected to the lever 77 by pivot pin 85. In'order to maintain the lever 77 in its neutral position I provide a yielding plate 86 pivoted at 87 to one side of thezcasing 47 and having on its upper edge a notch 88 which is adapted to receive and yieldingly the other as desired. This tube surrounds a vertical shaft 92 having near its lower end a worm gear 93 meshing with a worm 94 on the shaft 66. The shaft 92 carries at its upper end a. disk 95 secured to such shaft and having depending stops 96, 97 and 98, the stop 96 being permanent and the stops 97 and 98 bein-g adjustably mounted on the disk. The stop96 which depends from the underside of the disk is adapted to cooperate with a stop 99 located at one side of the bottom of the` bowl portion 91 of the handle. The two stops -97 and 98 are similar. As shown in Fig. 19 each such stop has a limited vertical movement and-.its position is main- 'tained by the spring pressed plunger 100 bearing in a' slot 101 in one' side thereof. This stop isprovided at its top with a head 102 for hand manipulation. In its position shown inf. Fig. 19 the stop 97 is in its operating position and adapted to cooperate with the stop 99.` However, whenl it is desired that the other stop 98 or the stop 96 shall be the one to* cooperate with stop 99 the stop 97 is drawn upwardly so that it will clear the stop 99 and permit either one of the other two stops to cooperate therewith.

Assuming that :it is desired to shift the shoe bodily to its outermost position the handle 90 is turned in one direction or the other as desired with the result that thelever 77 is oscillated so as to shiftthe sleeve 72 in the corresponding direction and thereby rotate the shaft 66 as determined by which of "the two sets of clutch jaws are then brought sition. When the stop or projection 96 is t-he voperative one the disk 95 will have substantially ak complete rotation before it takes-up the handle and carries it back to normal position. two stops 97 and 98 are made operative the handle will be automatically operated at earlier times with the result that the shoe will not be 5given its extreme position but one of the other desired positions.

As shown in Figs. 7 and8, one ofthe end brackets may be so made as to leave oneV end of the rollO free or exposed thereby en- However when either one of thel llO abling the operator to iron collars and cuffs and also neckbands, and other parts of garments whose other portions do not require ironing. For this purpose one of the end brackets 103 has an inturned portion 104 beginning below the low plane of the roll 4, which portion then extends vertically to support the table 24. A bearing arm 105, preferably integral, extends outwardly and then laterally to form a bearing for that end of the roll. In this manner and by this sim-` ple construction, this end of the roll is free and exposed for the purposes stated.

I claim:

1. In an ironing machine, the combination of a supporting frame lhaving parts arranged to rest on a floor, and a main frame for carrying the mechanism of the machine, said main frame having a three-point support on said supporting frame.

2. In an ironing machine, the combination of a supporting frame having parts arranged to rest on a floor, and a main frame for carrying the mechanism ofthe machine, said frame being firmly mounted at two points on said supporting frame and being loosely mounted at a third point on said supporting frame.

3. In an ironing machine, the combination of a support-ing frame having parts adapted to rest on a door, and a main frame for carrying the mechanism of the machine, such main frame being secured rigidly at one end to the supporting frame and at its other end secured loosely thereto.

4. In an ironing machine, the combination of -a supporting frame including two opposite'end legs, one of which has an upwardly extending flange, fa main frame adapted to carry the mechanism of the machine and including end brackets, one of which has a portion positioned parallel to the ange, and means for pivoting said bracket onto the iange.

5. In an ironing machine, the combination cf a vsupporting frame including two opposite end legs, one of which has an upwardly extendinglange, a main frame adapted to carry the mechanism of the machine and including end brackets, one of which has a portion positioned parallel to the ange, and a bolt for connecting said bracketand iange and forming a pivot therefor.

6. In an ironing machine, the combination of relatively movable ironing elements,

lpowermeans for effecting movement of one of said elements to different positions, operating connections between said power ieans and said last mentioned ironing element including a disconnecting and revers- (ing mechanism, a device under the control of the operator for operating said mechanism,

` and automatic means for 4restoring 'said device to normal position and thereby discon` necting said mechanism, said device including an operatin member having a projection, a rotatab e member having a stop adapted to cooperate with said projection and operatively connected with the operating connections for restoring said device to normal position and disconnecting said mechanism. Y

7. In an ironing machine, the combination of relatively movable ironing elements, power means for moving one of said elements to diiei'ent positions, operating connections between said power means and said last mentioned ironing element including a disconnecting and reversing mechanism, a device under the control of the operator for operating said mechanism, and automatic means for restoring said device to normal position and thereby disconnecting said mechanism, said device including an operating member having a projection, a rotatable member having a series of stops to cooperate with said projection, one of said stops being adjustable to be rendered operative or inopcrative at will, and means for driving said rotatable member from said power means.

8. In an ironing machine, the combination of relatively movable ironing elements, power means for moving one of said ironing elements to diierent positions, operating connections between said power means and said last mentioned ironing element, including a disconnecting mechanism, a device under the control of the operator for operating said mechanism, and automatic means for restoring said device to normal osition and thereby disconnecting said mechanism, -said device including an oscillating shaft moved by the operator and provided with a gear tooth, a rack bar operated by said tooth, and a lever connected with said rack bar and cooperating with said mechanism for causing operation of said mechanism.

9. In an ironing machine, the combination of relatively movableA ironing elements, power means for moving one of said ironing elements to different positions, yoperating connections between said power means and said last mentioned ironing element including a disconnecting mechanism, a device under the control ofthe operator for operating said mechanism, and automatic means for /restoring said device to normal position and thereby disconnecting. said mechanism, said device including an oscillating tubular shaft operatively connected with said mechanism and a handle at the end of Said shaft, said automatic means including an inner shaft within said tubular shaft and a disc secured to said inner shaft and having projections cooperating .with said handle, said inner shaft being operatively connected with said mechanism.

10. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, a roll and a` shoe mounted therein, and power means for operating the shoe to diiierent positions comprising a rock shaft to which the shoe is operatively connected, a motor', and operating connections between the motor and rock shaft including a disconnecting Vand reversing mechanism, a device under the Icontrol of the operator for operating such mechanism and automatic m/eans for restoring such device to normal position and therby disconnecting such mechanism, said device including a handle having a projection', a .rotatable disk having a stop adapted" to cooperate with such projection and operatively connected with the operating connections for restoring said device to normal position and disconnecting said mechanism.

11. Inan ironing machine, the combination of a frame, a roll and a shoe mounted thereinc, and power lneans for operating the shoe to different positions comprising a rock lshaft to which the shoe is operatively connected, a motor, and voperating connections between the motor and rock shaft including a disconnecting and reversing mechanism, a device under 'the control of the operator for operating such mechanism and automatic means for restoring such device to normal position and thereby disconnecting such mechanism, said device including a' handle having a projection, a rotatable disk having a series of stops, one or more of which areadjustable so as to be rendered operative or inoperative at will, said stops `cooperating with said projection and said disk being actuatedsby the operating connections.

12. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, a roll and a shoe mounted therein, and power means for operating the shoe to different positions comprising a rock shaft toA which the shoe is operatively connected, a motor, and operating connections between the motor and rock shaft including a disconnecting and reversing mechanism, a device under the control of theoperator for operating such mechanism and automatic meansfor restoring such device to normal position and thereby disconnecting such mechanism, said device includin a handle having a projection, a rotatable isk having a series of stops, one of which is permanent and another of which is adjustable, said projections and stops cooperating to 'determine the length of time of operation of such mechanism, said disk being connected with the operating connections.

y1?)."In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame, a'roll and a shoe mounted therein, and power means for operating the shoe to diderent positions comprising a rock shaft to which the shoe is operatively connected, a motor, and operating connections between the motor and rock shaft including a disconnecting andv reversing mechanism, a device under the control of the operator for operating such mechanism and automatic means for restoringsuch device to normal position and thereby disconnecting such mechanism, such device including an oscillating shaft moved by the operator and having a gear tooth, a slidingrack operated b such tooth, a lever connected with the rac and cooperating with slch mechanism for causing operation of the rack and also disconnection.

14. In an ironing machine, the combinatilon of a frame, a; roll and ashoe mounted therein, and power means for operating the shoe to different positions comprising a rock shaft to which the shoe is operatively connected, a motor, and operating connections between the motor and rock shaft including a disconnecting and reversing mechanism, a device under the control of the operator for operating such mechanism and automatic means for restoring such device to normal position and thereb disconnecting such mechanism, such devlce including an oscillating tubular shaft operatively connected with such vmechanism, a handle at one end of theshaft, and said automatic means including an inner shaft' within the tubular shaft, a disk secured to the top ofthe inner shaft and having projections cooperating with the handle, such inner shaft being oper-V atively connected. with said mechanism.

15. In an ironing machine, the combination of a frame including end brackets and a roll mounted therein, one of the said brackets having an inturned portion begining below the lower plane of the roll and eitending inwardly from the end of such roll to thereby expose such end.

16. Inuan ironing machine, the combination of a frame including end brackets and a. roll mounted therein, one of the said brackets having an inturned portion beginning below the lower plane of the roll and extending inwardly from the end of such roll vto thereby expose such end, said inturned portion having a bearing arm for that end of the roll.

17. In an ironing machine provided with ironing elements and supporting and operating means therefor, a frame including two side members and upon which said ironing elements and their supporting and operating means are mounted, a base, and means for pivotally supporting one of said side members upon said base.

18. In an ironing machine provided with ironing elements and supporting and Aoperating means therefor, a support upon which said ironing elements and their supporting and operating means are mounted, said support including two side frames each includingtwo legs adapted to rest upon the floor, one of said side frames being formed in two pivotally connected parts whereby' the ironing elements and their supporting and operating means are provided with a threepoint support.

19. In an ironing machine provided with ironing elements and supporting and oper- 5 'ating means therefor, a frame including two side'members and upon which said ironing elements and their supporting and operating means are mounted, one of said members being provided with two legs adapted to rest on the floor, a base provided with two legs also adapted to rest on the Hoor, and means for pivotally supporting the other of said side members upon said base.

AJOHN T. HUME. 

